Fringe artists honoured at awards night

The who’s who of Kilkenny’s fringe art scene assembled at County Hall on Wednesday evening this week, at a special awards ceremony to honour their work.

Cathaoirleach Paul Cuddihy, who has had a long-standing involvement in the fringe, organised the event.

“This began with a number of people who persisted with the fringe,” he told the artists.

“Tonight, we are celebrating you, and your achievements.”

First up, Cllr Cuddihy called on the Mayor to present two special awards to Canice Ryan, caretaker in Ormonde College, and Mary McGuinness.

The Cathaoirleach then presented a number of awards to the winning artists, for categories such as ‘Best Acrylic section’ (Virginia Black), ‘Best Oil section’ (Seamus Caulfield), ‘Pen and Ink’ (Dan Lenihan), ‘Best of Watercolour’ (Sheila Foley), and others.

Addressing the crowd, Mayor David Fitzgerald said that the arts had never been more important in Kilkenny.

“The arts festival was a huge success this year – it injected €6 million into our local economy,” he said.

“The investment was half a million, and with a 12-fold return, both the community and the culture benefit. But as everybody knows about a good garment, you always keep the best material until the fringe.”

Quotes & Facts

Kilkenny is 117 kilometres (73 mi) away the capital Dublin and 48 kilometres (30 mi) north from the nearest city Waterford. Wexford is 80 kilometres (50 mi) to the south-east and Limerick is 122 kilometres (76 mi) to the west.

Kilkenny's most one sided All-Ireland finals win was in 2008 when they beat Waterford by 23 points with a scoreline of Kilkenny 3-30 to 1-13 Waterford

One of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since Strongbow constructed the first castle, probably a wooden structure, in the 12th century.

Film star George Clooney’s great-great-grandfather was baptised Nicholas Clooney in Windgap church, Kilkenny, on July 23, 1829.

On learning that Bishop Kearney was buried in a tomb within St Canice’s Cathedral;

“I have to admit it was very exciting and it was great to finally prove conclusively that Barack Obama’s sixth generation grand uncle was the Bishop of Ossory who died in Kilkenny city at the Bishop’s Palace in 1813. It is now the headquarters of the Heritage Council."

Local Academic Gabriel Murray

The annals tell of a terrible massacre which took place in Dunmore Caves, with 1000 people killed by attacking Vikings in 928AD. Over the years there have been numerous finds of human bones, which together with finding of the Viking artifacts, seem to bear out that terrible tale.